What you need to know about the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA)

From June 1, 2023, current and former public sector workers who work in BC health authorities (including medical staff) will be protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA). Initially established in 2018, the Act will provide public sector workers – including BC physicians – with an additional avenue to report serious or systemic wrongdoing in their respective health authorities.

PIDA supplements—but does not replace—existing supports within health authorities, such as Safe Reporting, and Respectful Workplace. It is an entirely optional way for health authority staff to report serious and/or systemic wrongdoing in their place of work. The Act expressly imposes legal requirements that protect staff identities, and bars reprisal consequences.

How will PIDA work at my health authority?

Each health authority will appoint one or more senior official(s) to be its Designated Officer under PIDA. All staff, including physicians, can request advice and file reports of wrongdoing with these individuals. Wrongdoing can be reported anonymously if an individual wants to report wrongdoing, make a reprisal complaint, or ask for general advice regarding PIDA.

Individuals can speak to their direct supervisor, Designated Officer within the health authority, or the Office of the BC Ombudsperson. If an employee opts for the latter, they do not need to complete any internal process with their organization before contacting the Ombudsperson’s office.

What is “wrongdoing” under PIDA?

Examples of acts that likely constitute wrongdoing under PIDA include:

• Ongoing use of faulty medical equipment or devices
• Awarding contracts for personal financial benefit
• Fraud
• Practices that violate health and safety codes

Examples of acts that likely do not constitute wrongdoing under PIDA include:

• A medical error
• A single act of abrasive or rude behaviour
• A single discriminatory remark
• Concerns about the quality of care provided to an individual patient

Acts such as the above that are not applicable to PIDA can still be addressed using avenues such as Respectful Workplace, Patient Care Quality Office, and Whistleblower/Safe Reporting programs.

Where can I find out more about how PIDA affects me?

For more details regarding each health authority’s processes for PIDA, medical staff should review their workplace intranet to understand their rights and responsibilities under the Act.

An updated Order in Council has been posted to the BC government's website. Physicians can also find a range of learning resources offered by the BC Ombudsperson including tip sheets, checklists, and toolkits.

Doctors and other medical staff can enroll in the Speaking up Safely online course, and medical leaders who will be receiving PIDA reports can view the PIDA: Supervisor Responsibilities webinar.